EP. 126: Why Are Atlantic Flyway Mallards Declining? The Eastern Mallard Project with Cassidy Waldrep

What if you could follow a mallard throughout its entire year and see exactly where it goes, when it moves, how long it stays—and what finally triggers it to migrate?

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Cassidy Waldrep of the Eastern Mallard Project to explore what researchers are learning by GPS-tracking hen mallards across eastern North America.

Cassidy breaks down how the GPS and accelerometer technology works and what the movements of individual ducks are revealing about migration timing, weather, habitat use, stopover areas, wintering behavior and hunting pressure. We also dig into some of the movements researchers have documented through Pennsylvania and the Atlantic Flyway, including where these birds are coming from and where they go next.

The conversation also tackles the bigger question behind the research: Why have eastern mallard numbers declined? Cassidy explains the differences researchers are seeing between mallards breeding in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, what scientists are investigating as possible causes, and how this massive tracking project could ultimately influence habitat conservation and waterfowl management.

For duck hunters who have ever wondered what happens to the birds between the days we see them in the marsh, this episode offers a fascinating look at migration from the duck's perspective.

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